The Science Behind Disc Pain: Why Inflammation Matters and How Chiropractic Supports Recovery
If you're having leg pain that goes all the way down your extremity with numbness or tingling from a herniated disc, grasping what's happening in your body can be quite helpful. Recent research reveals that inflammation plays a central role in disc herniation pain—and the good news is that your body has some key healing mechanisms that Manahawkin chiropractic care at Manahawkin Chiropractic Center can help.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR PAIN
When a disc herniates, mechanical pressure on a nerve may not be the only issue triggering your symptoms. Your immune system responds by sending specialized cells called macrophages to the affected area. These cells are part of your body's inflammatory response, and research shows they have a major impact on both pain levels and recovery speed.
A 2025 study published in Brain & Spine examined how various types of macrophages impact clinical outcomes in lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. The researchers found that macrophage activity, along with MRI-visible alterations known as Modic changes, demonstrates a positive correlation with baseline symptom severity. This inflammation is your body's effort to heal, but it can create significant discomfort in the process. (1)
YOUR PATH TO RECOVERY
The encouraging news? Most people with disc herniation improve over time. A study published in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research tracked patients over time and discovered that several factors lead to success—particularly getting treatment early and receiving the right conservative care. (2)
HOW Manahawkin CHIROPRACTIC CARE SUPPORTS YOUR HEALING
Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive approach that works with your body's natural healing processes. Through gentle spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and targeted exercises, chiropractors can help:
- Reduce mechanical stress on irritated nerve roots
- Improve spinal biomechanics to assist healing
- Lower localized inflammation through improved movement
- Reinforce your body's natural recovery timeline
Every patient's journey is unique, but with proper care and knowledge of the inflammatory process involved, many individuals achieve significant symptom reduction from disc herniations through chiropractic intervention.
CONTACT Manahawkin Chiropractic Center
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Brandon Skiles on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates relieving, gentle treatment of a disc herniation with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management .
